Job Title: Telecommunicator Trainee / TC II – 911 Call Taker and Dispatcher (Full-Time)

CLICK TO VIEW TELECOMMUNICATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Great Pay & Benefits ▬ Training Program Provided ▬ Rewarding Career

No experience necessary; on-the-job paid Training Academy provided

 DuPage Public Safety Communications (DU-COMM) is the largest consolidated 9-1-1 communications centers within the State of Illinois and located in Wheaton at our newer state-of-the-art facility. DU-COMM was formed as an intergovernmental agency for emergency communications back in 1975.  DU-COMM is a 24 hour, 7 day a week operation serving 45 Police/Fire/EMS agencies throughout most of DuPage County. DU-COMM processes over 1.2 million calls per year and dispatches over 780,000 incidents per year. 

 DU-COMM may be the right place for you if:

• You crave a fast-paced multi-tasking position that will test your skills and abilities
• You are looking for a rewarding career where you can help the community
• You are looking for an employer who provides stability, great pay and benefits, continuing training, challenges and opportunities

Position Summary:

• Train on all DU-COMM and member agency Telecommunicator protocols, procedures, and operations to complete the certification programs for Call Taking, then Police and/or Fire dispatch.
• Answer 9-1-1 and other incoming non-emergency phone calls and process requests for Police, Fire, and EMS with accuracy.
• Promptly and courteously communicate with citizens and member agency personnel while assisting them.
• Accurately perform data entry on requests for service, tracking unit status, and other information provided by field personnel while verifying key details.
• Monitor assigned radio channel and dispatch calls to appropriate police or fire units, via radio, and coordinate additional response as needed.
• Perform routine notifications to outside agencies, including but not limited to: utilities, public works, non-member agencies, businesses, and citizens.
• Efficiently operate a variety of communications center equipment and software, including but not limited to: Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), telephone system, radio, call check, mapping programs, messaging, and available resources.
• Become certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), LEADS, NIMS, CPR, and other certifications as necessary.
• All other duties as assigned or per operational need.

Job Requirements:     

      SCHEDULING  

• • HOURS – Must have the ability to work any of the three 8-hour shifts 7-3 days, 3-11 afternoons, and 11-7 midnights, as scheduled in advance, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays. ALL TRAINING AND WORK IS ONSITE; NO REMOTE WORK AVAILABLE
    • Paid training program is the first 7-9 months.
    • First 5 weeks of Academy training are weekdays 9-5
    • Then training thereafter will be assigned to a shift working with a CTO. Scheduling is on a 3-week rotation of regular days off which includes 1 weekend off every 3 weeks and work no more than 4 days in a row; training will be on any shift with a CTO a few weeks at a time, but schedules will be issued in advance
    • After training, continue on an assigned shift with the 3-week rotation, then typically assigned to the 3-11 afternoon shift or 11-7 midnight shift for first years; bidding for shifts are then done on a seniority basis.
    • After training, overtime available and typically scheduled 4 hours before or 4 hours after a regular shift.  No mandated overtime on regular days off.
    • ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL – Reliable attendance and punctuality is an essential function of the position; time off is very limited during training
• MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
• Applicants must have a High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Must have valid state ID or drivers license for IDPH licensure requirements
• Applicants must be able to pass typing test at least 35 wpm (2 chances) and pass Criticall testing
• Must be proficient in the English language, both verbally and typed/written, including the proper usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Strong multi-tasking ability, analytical and logical problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work one-on-one, in a group environment, both in-person and through communication systems
• Must pass the post-offer, pre-employment full police background investigation, fingerprinting, polygraph exam, psychological assessment, and medical screening including basic physical, vision, hearing, and drug test

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• The employee works in a call center/office environment and while performing the duties of this job is regularly required to sit and use repetitive hand motion as well as frequently required to talk, hear, stand, and walk.
• Must maintain vision to 20/20 corrected vision; must hear speech out of both ears in the normal range of 30 DB at 500 to 2000 Hz range. Must be able to speak and communicate clearly over telephones and radio. Must be capable of sitting for up to 8-12 hours per day. Must be able to wear a headset. Must be capable of activating radio and phone systems utilizing buttons and switches. Must be able to input data via a keyboard.

Pay Rates (paid hourly, non-exempt; effective 5/1/26):

Entry level Telecommunicator 1 has a starting pay rate of $32.50 per hour ($67,600 annual) with an increase to Telecommunicator 2 (Police or Fire Certified) at a starting rate of $35.14 per hour ($73,091 annual)  after successfully completing 7-9 months of training. Experienced TCs may start at a higher pay step based upon related, recent experience. Pay range for Telecommunicator 1 is $67,600 to $75,379 paid hourly and Telecommunicator 2 is $73,091 to $101,941. Once certified on Police or Fire as TC2, overtime, comp time, and stipends are also available.  Annual increases include a May 1st COLA increase plus an anniversary Step increase.  

Benefits:

• Employer-provided uniform tops and additional annual stipend
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 26 days each year, with bidding for guaranteed time off, and Extended Sick Leave (ESL) 6 days each year
• Group health insurance: BlueCross BlueShield HMO and PPO options (employee contribution only 15%) with HSA employer contributions, Delta Dental HMO and PPO options, Express Scripts Prescription, and VSP Vision coverage
• IMRF pension, retirement savings, disability, and life coverage
• Additional retirement savings options
• Employer-provided life insurance
• Supplemental life insurance for self and family
• Supplemental disability, accident, and cancer protection
• FSA pre-tax savings accounts for health care and dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with wellness, personal, and family support
• Financial services, legal services, and identity protection plans
• Union representation by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (ILFOP)
• Onsite Fitness Room, full kitchen, quiet room, nursing mothers room, and more

How to Apply:

1. 1.  VIDEOS:  Watch both videos on DU-COMM’s Careers site, “Heroes Wear Headsets” and the “DU-COMM 911 Telecommunicator Orientation Video”
2. 2.  APPLICATION:    CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO DU-COMM
3. 3.  TESTING:  You will receive emails with testing links for, first, the Typing Test, and if passed, then the Criticall Test.  Test links are usually emailed starting the beginning of each month to all applicants from the previous month, so please check personal email and spam folders regularly.  Testing must be completed and passed by the deadlines specified in order to move to the next step in the hiring process.  If you do not pass testing, you may reapply every 6 months.
4. 4.  Human Resources will contact you if all of your information is complete and tests are both passed to be considered for our onsite interview opportunity.

The process from Application to Hire can take a few months to successfully complete all the pre-employment steps, including comprehensive background screening.  New Hire TC training classes typically start on a quarterly basis.

A valid email address must be included on the Application as all hiring process communications will be handled via email. Email questions to HR@ducomm.org. 

Applications will be accepted year-round for Telecommunicators.